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NEWS

Summerfun with circus

15,330 juggling balls in the air at one time would be quite a sight. And while the 5,110 children participating in the Summerfun recreation project this past July never did get them all up at once, many of them did learn how to juggle. For 20 days in 20 separate facilities the children of Brookhaven Township in New York had the opportunity to "run away and join the circus" for a day.

The Brookhaven parks department contacted Circus Education Specialists Inc. (CES) of Westbury, N. Y., about developing a circus skills program in the Spring of 1984. The project was financed by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Brookhaven Arts Council, and involved both performance by a CES artist and an instructional workshop. In addition to three ball juggling, students also worked with Chinese devil sticks and spinning plates. CES artists included Jean Paul Jenack, artistic director, and staffers Greg Milstein, Peter Keihm and Mark Rose.

Brookhaven decided to expand the project this past summer by including in-depth instruction for second-year students. CES personnel involved included John Foss (current American unicycle champion), Michael J. McGuigan of the Bond Street Theatre Coalition and Jahnathan Whitfield of the California Juggling Institute.

The two years of Summerfun have brought circus arts instruction to more than 11,000 children. If they all juggled together, that would be quite a sight indeed!

Clippings

Readers Digest 10/85 - Ron Graham on math and juggling

Christian Science Monitor 9/9/85 - Oleg Popov, Russian clown and juggler

Washington Post 7/9/85 - Michael Gelb and High Performance Learning

People 7/22/85 - Street performers. including American Dream Juggling Team

Associate Press 8/27/85 - Miss Tilley of Baltimore

Money 9/85 - The story of Jugglebug

Reuters 9/6/85 - European juggling convention Washington Post 9//3/85 - Avner the Eccentric New York Times 9/22/85 - UA and juggling generally

Convention planning time

Looking a full schedule of events during the 39th IJA convention July 22-27, convention co-chairmen Barry and Sue Bakalor recommend that jugglers arrive in San Jose well-rested!

Besides the usual offering of workshops, championships and public show, new events will include a costumed ball, a street performers competition and a private show for jugglers only. The private show is conceived as a forum for jugglers to show off their latest tricks and wildest routines. Anyone who would like to perform at any of the convention events should contact the Bakalors now.

Everyone has a chance to design the official 1986 convention logo! The prize for the winning entry will be $100 worth of IJA merchandise or convention costs, so send in your design by March 15.

Those planning to fly to San Jose should take advantage of Eastern Airlines special IJA rates. Use the toll-free number and convention code number when making your reservation.

For those who prefer a hotel to dorm accommodations, the Holiday Inn Park Center Plaza is just five blocks from San Jose State and is offering a special rate to the IJA of $50 plus tax for single or double rooms. For additional people in a room, add $10, but children may stay free with parents. This special rate will only be available if interest warrants, so contact the Bakalors now.

Special rent-a-car rates are available through Alamo Rent A Car to those who reserve early. The Bakalors and San Jose Juggling Society plan to organize inexpensive sightseeing trips to such places as San Francisco, the Santa Cruz Beach and Happy Hollow park. Please contact the Bakalors now if you are interested in this offering for yourself or family members. People are encouraged to bring children to the convention, and there is a possibility of baby-sitting services or day care at a reasonable rate. Again, contact the Bakalors now to arrange that.

Young jugglers age 12-16 who want to come on their own will be housed with others in their age group if desired, and the Bakalors will be glad to give reassurance to parents who call to ask about convention arrangements.

Convention organizers are anxious to make the San Jose convention the most enjoyable and exciting IJA event ever. Please feel free to contact Barry and Sue Bakalor any time. Write Sunnyvale, CA.